Display



July 27, 1965 H. J. GABRYEI.

DISPLAY Filed May 27, 1963 QMS IN VEN TOR. O/ye/ Herma/7 J Q ish,

ATTORNEYS United States Patent O M 3,197,026 DISPLAY Herman J. Gabryel, 89 Hunters Lane, Amherst, NX. Filed May 27, 1963, Ser. No. 283,501 4 Claims. (Cl. 2136-80) This invention relates to the display art, and more particularly to a new and useful display arrangement incorporating the displayed object as an integral part thereof. A primary object of my invention is 4to display objects in a particularly appealing and natural manner creating a pleasing impression'on an observer and thereby inducmg him to purchase the same.

Another object of my invention is to provide a threedimensional spaciousness creating an impression of handjing the displayed object to the observer for consideration and purchase.

Still another object of my invention is to provide the foregoing in a permanent display arrangement, wherein the displayed objects are covered and enclosed, being protected from deterioration through handling and atmospheric contamination, and against pilfering.

It is also an object of .my invention to provide the foregoing in a display arrangement which is durable and longlasting, and which, considering the beneficial advantages obtained, is relatively inexpensive.

In one aspect thereof, a display of my invention is characterized by the provision of a mounting base, one or more objects on display, the objects being spaced from the base, and a layer of transparent material extending across the display side of the objects in surface conforming relation thereto, the transparent layer extending between the object and the mounting base and providing a substantially transparent support mounting the object on the base in spaced relation thereto.

In another aspect thereof, a display of my invention is characterized by the provision of a backing panel, numerous objects randomly intermingled in a mass on the panel, and a film of transparent material extending across the display side of the mass in substantial surface conforming contact therewith, the film extending around the sides of the backing panel and thereby covering and enclosing the displayed objects.

In another aspect thereof, a display of my invention is characterized by the provision of a mounting panel, multiple objects on display, and means mounting the objects on the panel in spaced relation thereto and to each other, the mounting means comprising a continuous sheet of transparent material extending across and around the display sides of the objects in surface conforming relation thereto, the transparent sheet extending ehind the objects to the panel and across the display side of the panel, the sheet being sufficiently rigid to support the objects in yspaced relation to eachother and to the panel.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing features of my invention will become clearly apparent from the ensuing detailed description of certain illustrative embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing depicting the same lwherein like reference numerals denote like parts throughout and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a composite display of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, sectional View thereof taken about on line 2-2 of FIG. l;

PIG. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional view thereof taken about on line 3--3 of FIG. l

rFIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view thereof taken about on line 4 4 of FiG. l;

,FIG. 5 is a fragment-ary, sectional view corresponding to that of FIG. 2 but illustrating still another display of Y `rny invention; and

ICS

Patented July 27, l 1965 FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken about ony line 6-6 of FIG. l.

While the accompanying drawing yand ensuing detailed description refer only t-o the display of hardware items, it will be obvious and should be understood that my invention is by no means limi-ted thereto because the variety rof objects which can be displayed in accord-ance with my invention is almost limitless.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing, there is shown an illustrative, composite display of my invention comprising several different objects mounted on a common base in the form of a panel 1. The base can be of any suitable material and construction, comprising in the illustrated embodiment .a conventional perforated board -having perforations 2. The objects on display comprise,

in the illustrated embodiment, different types of trowels` 3 and 4, a paintbrush 5, a handful of nails 6, a paint can 7, and a sign 8 containing appropriate indicia, not shown, such as prices.

The items 3-7, in and of themselves, are conventional, and are intended to be merely illustrative of the wide variety of objects which can vbe displayed in accordance with my invention.

It is a particular .feature of my invention that objects such as those shown at 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 are supported in spaced relation to panel 1, entirely by transparent spacing means. To this end, there is provided a layer 9 of transparent material extending across the display sides of the objects, thence rearwardly to panel 1, and thence outwardly across the display side of panel 1 and around the sides thereof. The various objects 3-6 and 8 are connected to panel 1 by the spacing portions 10 of layer 9, `and the material of layer 9, in addition to -i-ts transparency, is sutiiciently Vstrong and rigid, in the finished display, to support the various objects 3 6 and 8 in spaced relation to panel 1. No other spacing support is required, whereby these objects appear to be .suspended in air by invisible supporting means. j

Even in the case of bulky or heavy items, such asv paint can 7, which abut panel 1, the layer 9 provides an invisible suppo-rt by means of which the object 7 is suspended.

An example of a material suitable for layer 9 is cellulose acetate butyrate sold as C/A/B by Nixon-Baldwin Chemicals, Inc., Nixon, New Jersey. A `sheet of from 60 to 100 thousandths inch thickness has proven satisfactory. It is transparent and strong at normal temperatures, as required by my invention, and is thermoplastic, enabling its application in the manner described hereafter.

Layer 9 extends across the display sides of the various objects on display in surface-conforming contact therewith. This provides a protective skin around the display side of the objects, while retaining the natural appearance thereof. In addition, it provides a means for the natural display of objects, such as nails, which normally are randomly intermixedl Thus, it is another particular feature of my inventionV that discrete objects, suc-h as the mass of nails 6, can be displayed in a very natural manner. Referring n-ow to FIG. 6, the mass of nails are intermiXed in random fashion on Ia backing panel 11. To enhance the appearance of naturalness, one or more nails can extend into, and even through panel 11, as shown, creating the effect of a nail .in use. Because layer 9 conforms tothe surface irregularity of the mass of nails 6, it does not detract from the natural appearance thereof. Furthermore, the strength of layer 9 enables it to lmaintain the relative position of the massed nails.

Where the displayed object is flexible, as in the case of sign 8, or has a flexible portion, as in the case of paintbrush 5, it can be provided with a supporting backing ysuch as panel 11. Where the displayed object has angubacking supports vsuch as shown at 11. In each instance,

the backing panels 11, 11 preferably are of transparent material, such a-s plexiglass, to preserve the illusion-of an invisible support.

yIn addition to spacing they displayed objects and their backing panels 11, 11 from base panel 1, layer 9 maintains these parts in assembled relation, This is accomplished by the surface conformance of layer 9, around the object and its backing panelor panels and slightly therebehind as clearly shown in FIGS. 2-6. Thus, layer 9 is wrapped around these parts, with spacing portions 10 being contracted and'inwardly offset. This holds these parts assembled, and holds them spaced from panel 1. The same` is true of those objects, such as trowels 3 and 4, which have no backing panels. The spacing portions 10 are inwardly offset, as clea-rly shown in FIG. 1, thereby locking the displayed object in position, spaced from panel 1.

Where the displayed object includes a liexible portion of relatively movable partssuch as the bristles 13 of paintbrush 5, it is desirable to maintain a particular position thereof. I accomplish this by enclosing the exible portion in a protective shell or` jacket 14 of transparent material such as the material oly layer 9.

A preferred method of constructing the display of my invention isv as follows. The various objects 3 8 are assembled, with their backing` panels and enclosing jackets, where necessary, and are supported in spacedrelation to panel 1., as by .means of pegs extending through the perforations 2 of panel 1. The panel 1 is placed ina horizontal position, on an appropriate supporting base, with objects 3-'6 and 8 supported above the panel as indicated above and with paint canv 7 supported on the panel and held against movement by pegs -or the like extending through perforations 2 on opposite sides of paint can 7. A sheet ofthe plastic, comprising-layerk 9, is suspended above the panel, and heated until it droops. This occurs at approximately- 400 F., and when the plastic yields and droops toward the assembled display panel and objects, the latter are raised int-o the plastic. The heat then is removed, and a vacuum isV applied `from behind panel 1, drawingv the heated plastic around the` objects 3-8 and against panel 1, as clearly indicated for example in FIGS. 2 6, As the plastic cools, it sets and hardens, and is securely adhered to Vthe objects and tothe panel. The extension of the plastic layer 9 around the sides of panel `1 'provides in-` creased adhesion to the` panel, and therefore additional support for the displayed objects.

The supporting pins then are removed, leaving the plastic portions 10 as the spacing support.Y

I havevfound that thel plastic layer 9 tends to shrink and draw as it cools. To reduce this,and provide increased adhesion, I have found it desirable to first spray the panel 1 with a thin coating, of pyroxilin, a suitable composition being one sold as Proxseal .l-16584? by Pyroxilin Product-s, Inc., division of Pierced:` Stevens Chemical Corp., 4851 South St. LouisV Avenue, Chicago 32, Illinois. Only a thin coating is required, and this composition ,can be rthinned with methyl ketone.

In constructing the display, using this method, meltable objects pose a problembecause of the elevated temperatures to which they are subjected. However, I have found that they can he assembled in this manner, if the object `is frozen instantly upon application of the hot plastic.A In other words, ice can be applied` to. the objectl as it is CII brought into contact with the hot plastic. This freezes the object long enough, to prevent its melting.

Accordingly, it is seen that my invention fully accomplishes its intended object-s. There is provided a display in which the objects are completely enclosed and protected, against deterioration from handling as Well as against pilfering. However, the objects do not give the appearance of being enclosed, as is the case when they are displayed in a conventional showcase arrangement. Instead, the objects seem to be suspended in air, by an invisible support, presenting the objects in a manner creating the impression of handing the object to the observer, for consideration and purchase. While I have disclosed and described in detail only certain illustrative embodiments, that has been done without thought of limitation, it being intended that the scope of my invention be defined by the appended claims.

Having fully disclosed and completely described my invention, and its mode of operation, what I claim as new 1s:

1 A display comprising a mounting panel, an object on display, and a film of transparent material Wrapped around the display side of said object in substantially surface-conforming relation thereto and slightly therebehind, said film extending from said object to said panel and across the display side of said panel, said film being adhered to said panel, and the portion of said film extending from said' object to said panel being at least partially inwardly odset and comprising a tubular sleeve spacing said object from said panel a substantial distance several times the thickness of said film, said sleeve being the sole spacing support for said displayed object.

2. A display as set forth in claim 1, wherein said displayed object is relatively flexible, together with a supporting backing panel for said displayed object, said backing panel being positioned behind and against said displayed object, and said lm being wrapped around the display side of said object and slightly behind said backing panel, said sleeve being the sole spacing support for saidy displayed object and its said backing panel.

3. A display as set forth in claim 1, wherein said displayed object comprises a mass of discrete objec-ts, such.

asnails, intermixed in random fashion on a backing panel, said tubular sleeve spacing said mass and said backing panel from said mounting panel a substantial distance and being the sole spacing support for said displayed objects and backing panel.

Y 4. A display as set fort-h in claim 1, wherein said mounting panel comprises perforated board.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. 

1. A DISPLAY COMPRISING A MOUNTING PANEL, AN OBJECT ON DISPLAY, AND A FILM OF TRANSPARENT MATERIAL WRAPPED AROUND THE DISPLAY SIDE OF SAID OBJECT IN SUBSTANTIALLY SURFACE-CONFORMING RELATION THERETO AND SLIGHTLY THEREBEHIND, SAID FILM EXTENDING FROM SAID OBJECT TO SAID PANEL AND ACROSS THE DISPLAY SIDE OF SAID PANEL, SAID FILM BEING ADHERED TO SAID PANEL, AND THE PORTION OF SAID FILM EXTENDING FROM SAID OBJECT TO SAID PANEL BEING AT LEAST PARTIALLY INWARDLY OFFSET AND COMPRISING A TUBULAR SLEEVE SPACING SAID OBJECT FROM SAID PANEL A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE SEVERAL TIMES THE THICKNESS OF SAID FILM, SAID SLEEVE BEING THE SOLE SPACING SUPPORT FOR SAID DISPLAYED OBJECT. 